Flush valve construction



March 24, 1959 D. ZBROWN 2,87

4 FLUSH VALVE CONSTRUCTION Filed June 10, 1957 4 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 INVENTOR.

' DEWEY BROWN ATTORNEY March 24, 1959 D. BROWN 2,878,485

FLUSH VALVE CONSTRUCTION Filed June 10,1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. DEWEY BROWN flia/fddw v ATTORNEY United States Patent FLUSH VALVE CONSTRUCTION Dewey Brown, Fairborn, Ohio Application June 10, 1957, Serial No. 664,524

' 3 Claims. (Cl. 4-57) This invention is directed to a flush valve construction for a toilet water tank, or the like.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved flush valve construction, which may be used to replace the present flush valve construction.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved flush valve construction which eliminates the present undesirable vertical slide rod adjacent the overflow pipe in the toilet water tank.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved flush valve construction which may be used as original equipment, and which does not use the present undesirable vertical tank ball slide rod adjacent the present overflow pipe.

Another object of this invention is to provide a flush valve construction in which a relatively rigid link or rod is hinged at substantially the level of the ball receiving opening in the flush pipe and which extends horizontally and upwardly to a point above the tank ball receiving opening, where it is attached to the tank ball.

Further objects of. this invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view, somewhat diagrammatic, of one form of the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a portion of Figure 1, taken along the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an elevation, in enlarged scale, of a portion of Figure 2, taken along the line 3--3 thereof.

Figure 4 is an elevation of the end of the rod shown in Figure 3, in a further enlarged scale.

Figure 4a is an end view of Figure 4.

Figure 5 is a vertical cross-section of another embodiment of this invention.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of a portion of Figure 5, taken along the line 66 thereof.

Figure 7 is a top view of the arm shown in Figure 1, as viewed from lines 77 thereof, and with the hinge construction removed.

Figure 8 is an end view of the hinge construction shown in Figure 1, as viewed from the line 8-8 thereof.

Figure 9 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 10 is an elevation of the structure shown in Figure 9, as seen from the line 10-10 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a view, partly in cross-section and partly in elevation, of the embodiment shown in Figure 9, as seen from line 11--11 thereof, the water tank being added in this view.

I Figure 12 is an enlarged cross-section of a portion of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Figure 13 is a top plan view of the sheet metal member of Figures 1, 2 and 12.

Referring first to Figures 1, 2, 12 and 13, this invention is applied to the toilet water tank 20, which has a flat bottom wall 21, with a flush opening 22, which opening has an upwardly tapered upper end 23. A combined flush and overflow fixture 24 has a relatively short large diameter flush pipe 25, and a relatively long, small diameter overflow pipe 26 adjacent to and discharging at its lower end 27 into the flush pipe in a manner well known in the art. The overflow pipe 26 extends upwardly with its upper end, not shown, above the normal water level in the tank.

The relatively large diameter flush pipe 25 fits in the.

' sealing or elastic ring 38, also tapered, is placed around the round smooth cylindrical outer surface 34 and fits in the outwardly tapered upper end 23 of the flush opening 22 in the tank wall 21. A threaded nut 40 engages the threaded extension 36 below the bottom wall 21 of the tank.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2, l2 and 13, a flat horizontal sheet member 44, preferably of metal, such as copper, is provided with an opening 46. The member 44 is placed with its opening 46 surrounding the flush pipe 25 between the outward flange 42 and the sealing ring 38 in a manner not to interfere with the sealing action of the sealing ring 38 against the upwardly tapered opening 23 of the tank wall 21 and the smooth surface 34 of the pipe 25.

The sheet member 44 has an arm 48 extending horizontally a substantial distance from the flush pipe 25. It also has a strengthening upward flange 50 around the periphery of the member 44 of the same or various I heights and this flange is slightly higher at the point 52 where a portion of it is bent inwardly to form a stop member for a hinge construction hereafter described.

A relatively rigid link or rod 54 is hinged at 55 adjacent one end of the arm 48 substantially at the level of the ball receiving opening 30. The rod 54 extends horizontally for a short distance, then vertically at 56, again horizontally at 58 and is bent downwardly at 60 above the center of the ball receiving opening 30. The ball 42 is threadedly engaged in the downwardly directed extension 60 by threads, not shown, but well known in the art.

The hinge construction at 55 includes a vertical leaf 62 having a vertical slot 63, and a horizontal leaf 64 having openings for the'two bolts 66, which extend into the slotted openings 68 in the end of the arm 48 of the sheet member 44. This allows the hinge construction to be adjusted horizontally, while the slot 63 allowsjthe hinge construction to be adjusted vertically. The hinge has the usual pin construction 70 where the leaves v6.2 and 64 meet. The rod 54 has a thread 72 formedv in the end thereof and has a square portion 74, if desired, which fits snugly in the slot 63 to prevent any substantial turning of the rod 54. The rod 54 is secured by the nut construction 76, which may be drawn up tightly or may have additional locking action, as is well known.

The leaf 62, when it swings backwardly, engages the bent portion 52 of the flange 5t and thus forms an upper stop for the upward movement of the ball 42 after it has been pulled up by the chain 78.

The construction of the embodiment of Figures 1, 2, 12

* and 13 is such that it insures the proper seating of the ball 42 at the opening 30 after the ball has been pulled up by the flexible link chain 78 which is attached to the usual flush tank lever and handle, not shown, which is used for flushing the tank.

The embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6 is for orig'- inal equipment, and is cast with the combined flush and overflow fixture at the time of manufacture thereof. The pipe 25, the overflow portion 27 of the pipe 26, the sealing ring 38, the rod 54, ball 42, etc., are substantially the same as previously described. However, the flange32 of the previous construction is provided with a flat horizontal metal extension. 80 which has two upwardly directed flanges 82' at its edges. A pin 84 passes through the flanges 82, and above the floor of the horizontal extension 80 and forms the hinge pin for the vertical leaf 62 which is substantially the same as the leaf 62 previously described and is provided with a vertical slot, not shown, similar to slot 63 previously described. Another pin 86 also extends between the upward flanges 82' and forms a stop for the leaf 62. If desired, the horizontal portion 80 maybe shorter than the'two upward flanges 82, and the flanges 82' are made of sufficient thickness to support the hinge pins 84 and 36. This arm construction 80 and 82 is' preferably cast with the remainder of the fixture, and the flanges 82 may extend sufficiently far around'the pipe 25 to insure the necessary strength to prevent breakage. The operation of the embodiment of Figures Sand 6 is believed to be apparent from the previous description with respect to Figures 1, 2, 12 and 13. The necessary vertical and horizontal adjustment of the rod 54 may be obtained by proper manipulation of the nut construction 76, as the leaf 62 is provided with the vertical adjustment slot 63 as previously described.

In the embodiment of the Figures 9, l and 11, the arm construction is attached to the overflow pipe 26 immediately adjacent the overflow lower portion 27 of the fixture. The tank 21, flush pipe 25, sealing structure 38, ball receiving opening 30, ball 42, the rod or link construction 54, 56 and 60, hinge leaf 62, and other elements correspondingly numbered are substantially the same as previously described in connection with the other embodiments. Where similar numerals are used which were previously used in the other figures, substantially the same construction is'used, and the previous description applies.

to this embodiment. In this embodiment, an arm structure 90 has' clamping means 91 in the form of a flanged ring which is integral with a first horizontal arm 92. The arm 92 is hingedly secured to the second arm 93 by means of the bolt 94. The arm 93 has an end structure or platform 95 which is located a substantial distance from the overflow pipe opening 30. The arm 93, and its end structure 95 has a strengthening flange 96. The platform 95 has slotted openings 68 similar to those previously described, to receive a horizontal hinge leaf 64 secured to the platform 95 by the bolts 66. The vertical leaf 62 is provided with a vertical slot, not shown, having the same function as slot 63 of the previous embodiments. Preferably the arm constructions 92 and 93 preferably are made of heavy stock or are cast from brass with the integral flange or clamping ring 91 which is clamped to the pipe 26'by means of the bolt 98.

The position. of the arm structure 90 with relation to the opening 30 may be adjusted, in the first instance, by positioning of the arm 92 when clamping the bolt 98. Thereafter, the arm 93 may be adjusted in relation to the arm 92 by manipulation of the bolt 94, and finally horizontal and vertical adjustment may be made in the rod construction 54 by bolts 66 and nut constructions 76, in the manner previously described.

In the operation of the embodiment in Figures 1, 2, l2 and 13, the original sliding vertical rod construction which was attached to the overflow pipe 26 is removed, and the nut construction 40 is also removed and the fixture is moved upwardly, after which the sheet metal member 44 is placed around the pipe 25 and the fixture is reassembled. The hinge construction 62 and 64 has been previously attached to the member 44 and thereafter the rod 54 is attached to the vertical leaf 62 and the ball 42 is threadedly engaged to the vertical portion 60. The proper adjustment at the hinge portion of. the device 4 properly positions the ball 42 at the center of the opening 30.

In the modification shownrin Figures 9 and 10 and 11, the arm structure 90 is clamped to the vertical pipe 26 after the previous faulty vertical rod has been removed from the pipe 26. The arm structure 90 may be adjusted by bolts 98, 94, 66a and nut constructions 76, as desired, to provide the necessary adjustment to insure the proper centering of the ball, '42 in. relation to the center of the opening 30 of the pipe 25;

The embodiments of Fi ures 1,. 2, 3; and 13 and 9-11 may be used. as original equipment, as well as replacement equipment, if desired.

In the embodimentshown in Figures 5 and 6, the flange construction and 82 is cast with the original flush and overflow construction 25 and 27 to form an arm extending outwardly where the hinge pin 84 may be placed at thedesired distance from the ball receiving, opening 30. Vertical and horizontal adjustment is made by manipulation of the nutconstruction 76 in a, vertical slot in leaf 62', as previously described.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed in accordance with the requirements of the statutes, it is understood that other embodiments may be used, within the, scope of. the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. In combination: a toilet water tank having a horizontal bottom wall with a vertical flush opening therein; a combined overflow and flush fixture having a short, relatively large diameter vertical flush pipe sealed in said fiush opening with a tank ball receiving opening at the upper end of said flush pipe, said fixture having a relatively long and relatively small diameter overflow pipe adjacent to and'discharging at its lower end into said flush pipe and having a vertical extension, the axes of said extension and said flush pipe having a common vertical plane extending upwardly with its upper end above the normal water level in said tank; an arm structure having clamping means at one end firmly securing said arm structure to said vertical extension of overflow pipe, said arm structure extending in a generally horizontal direction a substantial distance from said overflow pipe and from said flush pipe in a vertical plane at an angle to said common vertical plane; said structure having a first arrn rigidly secured to said overflow pipe and a second arm angularly adjustably carried by said first arm; a relatively rigid link hinged to said second arm a substantial distance from said flush pipe and extending above said tank ball receiving opening; and a flush tank ball secured to saidlink' in a position to swing into said ball receiving opening as said link hingedly swings on'said' second arm.

2. In combination: a toilet watertank having a flat bottom wall with a flush opening therein with an outwardly tapered upper end; a combined flush and'overflow fixture having a short, relatively large diameter flush pipe fitting in-said' flush opening-with a tank ball receivmg opening at the upper end. ofsaid flush pipe, with an outward flange on said'flush pipe above and adjacent said flat bottom wall, with a smooth cylindrical outer surface on said flush pipe below and adjacent said flange, and with a threaded extension below said smooth outer surface; a flexible sealing ring around said cylindrical smooth outer surface and fitting in said outwardly tapered upper end of said flush opening; a threaded nut engaging said threaded extension below said bottom wall of said tank; a fiat horizontal sheet member having an opening surrounding said flush pipe. betweenv said. outward flange and said sealing ring, saidmember having an. arm extending, horizontally a substantial distance from said flush pipe; a relatively rigid link hinged adjacent one end of said arm; and a, flush tank ball secured adjacent the other. end of said link and guided into said opening by the hinged movementofsaidlink.

3. In. combination; a. toilet watertank having arflat bottom wall with a flush opening therein; a combined flush and overflow fixture having a short, relatively large diameter flush pipe sealed in said flush opening with a tank ball receiving opening at the upper end of said flush pipe, and with an outward flange on said flush pipe above and adjacent said flat bottom wall; a flexible seal between said flush opening and said outward flange, a fiat horizontal sheet member having an opening surrounding said flush pipe and the edge of said flush opening extending between said outward flange and said flexible seal, said member extending horizontally a substantial distance from said flush pipe; a relatively rigid link hinged on 6 said sheet member a substantial distance from said flush pipe; and a flush tank ball adjacent the other end of said link and guided into said opening by the hinged movement of said link.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,083,486 Ballou June 8, 1937 2,731,646 Hughes Jan. 24, 1956 2,741,775 Schmidt Apr. 17, 1956 2,754,522 Earsley July 17, 1956 

